NOTE: Pax Christi USA is a member of the Faith Forum. This is their “Third Thursday for Israel-Palestine” action for February.

The controversial speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress scheduled for March 3 is problematic for a number of reasons, including the way the invitation was issued without coordination with the White House, the anticipated content of the speech which is expected to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue at a critical time in the negotiations with Iran, and the timing of the speech just prior to the Israeli elections.

Just as troubling, however, is the way the focus on the speech is distracting from the issues of real human need.

In Gaza, harsh winter weather exacerbates already deplorable living conditions as residents struggle to rebuild following the devastating summer war. Power outages in some areas last for 16 to 18 hours per day, access to clean water is a serious problem, and there have been reports of deaths from hypothermia. UNRWA has recently been able to resume cash assistance to families in need, but reports, “The atmosphere in Gaza remains one of frustration for families who are desperate to rebuild their homes and lives.”

The financial needs in Gaza are enormous, and many Palestinians in the West Bank also rely on outside assistance, yet some in Congress have called for freezing funding to the Palestinian Authority in response to the bid to join the ICC. In addition, Israel still hasn’t released the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, which it withheld in response to the ICC move.

The planned speech before Congress takes the focus off these and other important concerns.

Call on your members of Congress today to urge them not to attend the speech and to ask them instead to call for urgent attention to pressing human needs in the region. Call on your representative and senators to:

Support U.S. financial assistance for Gaza reconstruction, urge Israel to lift the Gaza blockade, urge Egypt to open the Rafah crossing, and urge the Palestinian political entities to work together to facilitate Gaza rebuilding;

Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for joining international treaties and conventions, including their bid to join the ICC, and urge Israel to release Palestinian tax revenues.

Congress is on recess February 16-20, so if you’re able, this would be a great time to visit your elected officials in person to deliver this important message. Contact your senators and representative today to raise these concerns.

Sample Script for Letter, Email or Call:

Dear _____________,

I am writing to urge you not to attend the speech to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu scheduled for March 3 and to instead focus on human needs including Gaza relief and continued funding for Palestinians.

The planned speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is problematic for a number of reasons including the way the invitation was issued without coordination with the White House, the anticipated content of the speech which is expected to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue at a critical time in the negotiations with Iran, and the timing of the speech just prior to the Israeli elections.

Just as troubling, however, is the way the focus on the speech is distracting from the issues of real human need. In Gaza harsh winter weather exacerbates already deplorable living conditions as residents struggle to rebuild following the devastating summer war. Many Palestinians in the West Bank also rely on outside assistance, yet some in Congress have called for freezing funding to the Palestinian Authority in response to the bid to join the ICC. In addition, Israel still hasn’t released the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, which it withheld in response to the ICC move.

The planned speech before Congress takes the focus off these and other important concerns.

I urge you not to attend the speech, and instead to:

Support U.S. financial assistance for Gaza reconstruction, urge Israel to lift the Gaza blockade, urge Egypt to open the Rafah crossing, and urge the Palestinian political entities to work together to facilitate Gaza rebuilding;

Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for joining international treaties and conventions, including their bid to join the ICC, and urge Israel to release Palestinian tax revenues.